is first seed a good thing???

[nuggetsyl]

I would like to know how many first seeds starting from 2000 actually won there reagional. If they did why and if they didn't why?

[Brian Savitt]

If I can remember correctly Heatwave (312) was first seed and picked Baxter Bomb Squad(16) and won. That was at the KSC regional

Brian

[srawls]

In 2000 team 122 won first seed at the VCU regional, and won it all too. I wan't on the team then, so I can't answer the second question though.

[Tom Fairchild]

Originally posted by srawls
I wan't on the team then, so I can't answer the second question though.

I wasn't either, but I know a little bit more. Basically, from what I've been told, my team picked the only other bot that could've beat them. Why would first seed be a bad thing? Last year there were a few problems, since there were four person alliances, a group really didn't need two double goal balancers so the automatic pairing was an issue. This year its much more straight forward. Pick who you're good with.

~Tom Fairchild~

[Tom Schindler]

We were first seed in florida in 98... when it was 1 vs 1 vs 1.... we ended up getting double teamed, and knocked out. In 2 vs 2, there is no way you can be double teamed, as there will always be your ally open. I guess first seed is a good thing... but who knows how htings will play out.

Tom

[Bill Enslen]

Being first seed at Philly let us pick the best teams at doing what we couldn't do -- handle the large balls. We went on to win the Philly regional.
I believe that first seed is an incredible advantage in putting together a great alliance. No guarantee of success, just a better chance.
Beatty (71) was first seed in Newton division last year, and picked us AFTER picking the best ball handler. They HAD to have another ball handler to execute their strategy, and they prayed that one of the other three alliances didn't name us as their first choice. They did not want to play against us, as we were the only other team which could execute the strategy almost as well as they could, but having another great ball handler was more important. You all know what happened after that.
Because this years bot is built to win matches, not score points, we will not be a first seed. We probably won't be in the top ten. But if we are able to successfully execute our strategy, our won/loss ratio should attract the attention of the first seed, and we'll get picked for the elimination rounds.

[Stephen Kowski]

Originally posted by Brian Savitt
If I can remember correctly Heatwave (312) was first seed and picked Baxter Bomb Squad(16) and won. That was at the KSC regional

Brian

That is true but with Metal in Motion last year we had the third alliance and won there too! =P But thanks for mention.

[Ken Leung]

It takes a lot to be #1 seed, because it would mean constantly winning a lot of matches, and scoring a lot of qualifying points in each one of them.

So, in this year's scoring system, you will need to be smart and let opponent score enough qualifying points for you, while winning. So, it could be up to chances and you are luckly enough to get good partners and good opponents... Or you have absolute control of how the game would go.

Unlike last year, #1 seed might not be the one that can play the finals the best. But you should still be really proud if you are #1 seed after qualifying rounds. Being #1 will mean that you get to pick the best partner you want, and the best third partner after that.

After that, however, it will be a long and hard road to become the champion of the competition, regional or national.

If i am not mistaken, the Allience of Chief Delphi (47), Wildstang (111) and the Technokats (45) at the Motorola Midwest Regional was a 1st seed. I know we were picked in the 2nd time around, but I cant remember if CD or Wildstang was first seed. But to conclude this story, this allience ended up winning the regional.

[Tom Fairchild]

365's alliance won Philly last year, I remember that.

~Tom Fairchild~

[Jessica Boucher]

237 was bopping between 1st and 2nd seed all day friday & sat of the UTC regional in 2000. We eventually ended up in 2nd, but then ended up winning the entire regional with our picks of 131 & 209.

So it's just good to keep in mind that the one in 1st seed at the end of qualifying may not have been there for long.

[Ken Leung]

Originally posted by Jessica Boucher
237 was bopping between 1st and 2nd seed all day friday & sat of the UTC regional in 2000. We eventually ended up in 2nd, but then ended up winning the entire regional with our picks of 131 & 209.

So it's just good to keep in mind that the one in 1st seed at the end of qualifying may not have been there for long.

That is one thing that I forgot about qualifying rounds, is that sometime the top seeds can change rank even if it's the last two match. All it take is second seed winning with a lot qualifying points, and first seed not getting quite as much. Pretty much, teams up there are great robots, and maybe a few who got great partners a lot of times.

However, the final result is still heavily decided by how the top seeds pick their partners... #1 seed have an advantage that they can pick the best robot out there, but that may or may not mean their alliance is the best pair.

It's going to take a lot of scouting, experience in the competition, and a lot of luck this year to win!